The River Ayr Way

Carn Publishing, 2006, 120 pp, 30 line drawings, 5 Ordnance Survey maps.
ISBN 0 9518128 4 X 
EAN 978 09518128 4 6
£8.95

The River Ayr Way, which starts at Glenbuck east of Muirkirk, follows the River Ayr downstream through some of the most interesting countryside in the county before losing itself in the Firth of Clyde at Ayr harbour. On the way the walk passes numerous places of historical significance, such as the old ironworkings at Muirkirk, mill sites and reservoirs at Catrine, castles and country houses including Sorn Castle and Auchincruive, as well as some spectacular natural scenery.

For much of its length the River Ayr keeps itself to itself, hidden in spectacular wooded gorges, with sandstone cliffs and gorges. Here and there are locations of great interest, such as the Ballochmyle Viaduct, with its world-record masonry span, Stair village, with its ancient house and associations, tales of Covenanters, Sir William Wallace, Robert Burns, and other local figures.

The book is an ideal companion for walkers, being designed so that it fits into most jacket pockets. It contains 1:50 000 Ordnance Survey maps of the full route, and it is illustrated with 30 line drawings by the author. The cover flaps contain useful information, and they can be used to keep the page whilst walking. In all it is an indispensable book that all walkers, and arm-chair explorers, will want.